As Anarcho-Bolshevik and multitotal have noted, and in my personal view, Yugoslavia was definitely, firmly socialist. It had more markets and concessions to capital than the USSR for instance, but the commanding heights of the economy were controlled by the state in the name of the working class, and commodities were mostly produced to generate profit for Yugoslavia to survive in a capitalist world and provide for it’s citizens. This is something that every single socialist country has and had to do, for now.
That all being said, just because a country is socialist doesn’t mean it’s not above criticism. I’m not saying that you said or thought that, it’s just important to keep in mind.
Allegedly, Yugoslavia murdered Soviet and classical Marxist-Leninist-aligned politicians.
Allegedly, Yugoslavia murdered Soviet and classical Marxist-Leninist-aligned politicians.
If true (about Soviet politicians) then it’s part of the tit-for-tat between Yugoslavia and Soviet Union. Yugoslavia was run by Marxists, I’d dare even say Marxists-Leninists, their problems with the Soviet Union were not ideological, but political.
Soviet documents showed that the Soviet Union was paying for anti-Yugoslav activities in Yugoslavia all up until 1979. Then there’s also the case where the Soviet Union would arm Yugoslavian dissidents and then send them across the Bulgarian and Hungarian borders to attack the border posts. A Soviet general remarked that after the 50s all Soviet battle plans had to do with Yugoslavia’s terrain. Stalin famously said “I will wag my little finger and Tito will be gone.” There were dozens if not hundreds of attempts on Tito’s life, mostly from the Soviet Union.
In popular culture, especially western popular culture, they like to lump Yugoslavia as part of the “communist bloc” but don’t know that Yugoslavia and Soviet Union were practically enemies from like 1949 until the 1970s. One of the catalysts was that the Soviet Union made a deal with Britain where they wouldn’t arm Greek communists, but Yugoslavia went against “official communist policy” and armed them anyway.
Yugoslavia and Tito did make some mistakes, that’s for sure. But I’ll say one thing, that whatever Tito & Co. did, they did it not to enrich themselves, but for the people of Yugoslavia. That’s why Tito played both sides and on the world stage Yugoslavia always did what’s right, not expedient.
Tito supported the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956 but criticized Moscow’s intervention in Czechoslovakia in 1968. Tito’s denunciation of that move further warmed relations with Washington. But they cooled again when he sided with the Soviets during the 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict.
Is it true that Stalin tried to have Tito assassinated?
Yes, but it was hard to find anyone close to Tito who would betray him, like with Castro. Both fond of Cuban cigars too. Tito was the only person to smoke inside the White House. The staff told him that smoking isn’t allowed and Tito said “Good for you.” (or something to that effect)
As Anarcho-Bolshevik and multitotal have noted, and in my personal view, Yugoslavia was definitely, firmly socialist. It had more markets and concessions to capital than the USSR for instance, but the commanding heights of the economy were controlled by the state in the name of the working class, and commodities were mostly produced to generate profit for Yugoslavia to survive in a capitalist world and provide for it’s citizens. This is something that every single socialist country has and had to do, for now.
That all being said, just because a country is socialist doesn’t mean it’s not above criticism. I’m not saying that you said or thought that, it’s just important to keep in mind.
Allegedly, Yugoslavia murdered Soviet and classical Marxist-Leninist-aligned politicians.
If true (about Soviet politicians) then it’s part of the tit-for-tat between Yugoslavia and Soviet Union. Yugoslavia was run by Marxists, I’d dare even say Marxists-Leninists, their problems with the Soviet Union were not ideological, but political.
Soviet documents showed that the Soviet Union was paying for anti-Yugoslav activities in Yugoslavia all up until 1979. Then there’s also the case where the Soviet Union would arm Yugoslavian dissidents and then send them across the Bulgarian and Hungarian borders to attack the border posts. A Soviet general remarked that after the 50s all Soviet battle plans had to do with Yugoslavia’s terrain. Stalin famously said “I will wag my little finger and Tito will be gone.” There were dozens if not hundreds of attempts on Tito’s life, mostly from the Soviet Union.
In popular culture, especially western popular culture, they like to lump Yugoslavia as part of the “communist bloc” but don’t know that Yugoslavia and Soviet Union were practically enemies from like 1949 until the 1970s. One of the catalysts was that the Soviet Union made a deal with Britain where they wouldn’t arm Greek communists, but Yugoslavia went against “official communist policy” and armed them anyway.
Yugoslavia and Tito did make some mistakes, that’s for sure. But I’ll say one thing, that whatever Tito & Co. did, they did it not to enrich themselves, but for the people of Yugoslavia. That’s why Tito played both sides and on the world stage Yugoslavia always did what’s right, not expedient.
Is it true that Stalin tried to have Tito assassinated? I thought it was mostly neoliberal propaganda.
But if true, this is all fucking horrible and terrifying.
Yes, but it was hard to find anyone close to Tito who would betray him, like with Castro. Both fond of Cuban cigars too. Tito was the only person to smoke inside the White House. The staff told him that smoking isn’t allowed and Tito said “Good for you.” (or something to that effect)
Do you mean the Amerikkkan White House or the Yugoslavian equivalent? Sorry if stupid question.
The Amerikkkan one.